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i~~ate; flows in the study azea generally are similar to those at the USGS <br />gauging station at Hotchkiss except during the irrigation season, xhen <br />• di_°ferences may Se very large.* An example of flows is shover. on Figure 3-i. <br />During the 1876-77 study period, flows in the study sea were generally <br />low because of very low precipitation and runoff during this period. F]aw at <br />s rations NF- 3 & 4 a_re generally much less than at stations NF'~ i & 2 because of <br />depletions from the Paonia Ditch and Feldmans Ditch. Although there is no <br />river ga+.ige in this section of the river, visual observations showed a decline <br />in water levels during the winte_~ period. This decline especially affects <br />the shallows, depleting them of moving water, and is worsened by icing con- <br />ditions. Ice covered all or part of the river during a portion of the December- <br />April period, however because of the mild winter and low snow precipitation <br />there were periods when the river was essentially free from ice especially in <br />March. <br />• Begi^:ing '_n March, Farmers Ditch bega^. drawing water fr om just above the <br /> study area, ar~ reduced further the low flows in the river. During the lowest <br />observed flows in summer and fall, flow rates were estimated at 8-12 cfs in <br />the upper part of the study azea and less than i cfs in the lower section. <br />Stevens G::lch Creek is basically a steep intermittent stream, except in <br />its lower half mw le. Above !'.ighway 133 and for about hal.° its length below <br />the highway there is generally no water except dur ing periods of heavy runoff <br />or from occasional discharges from Fire Mountain Canal. The average slope <br />from the confluence of drainages a short distznce below the mine to Eighway <br />133 is about 250 feet per mile. Above this, it is about 540 £t. per mile, <br />a^.d below the highway it is about 225 ft. per mile. Ir. the lower section, <br />which has running xate_~, the slope is about 100 ft. per mile. <br />• 'There is no water gauge between Som e_set & Paonia. .River flows are depleted <br />fror~ Eire ^'ou*aai.^., Stewarts, ?aonia, Farmers and Feidmars ditches above the <br />st~~dy area and flows zre increased from Minnesota Cree':, irrigatior. ref low and <br />other '„ib•_taries below ?aonia. <br />3-2 <br />